Ruby

Properties

• Luster: Rubies have a brilliant somewhat glassy luster to them depending on the clarity of the stone
• Color: Rubies can range in color from pink to orange, from brownish red to purple, or the most desirable "the pigeon's blood" red (a dark rich red)
• Streak: The ruby has a white streak
• Hardness: The ruby is in the Corundum family so it has a hardness of 9
• Crystal Shape: The crystal shape is a rhombohedron
• Cleavage: None

Uses of the Mineral

Rubies are used in Lasers used in tatoo removal and hair removal. In the 1960's they were used in a full sized laser but these operations have fallen out. Rubies were once used for healing in the ancient times. But now they have mostly come to just being used in jewelry for their beautiful color and brilliance.

Where its found

Rubies are found all around the world but are prevalent in Africa and Asia the most. In past years Mogok Valley, Myanmar was the ruby capital of the world holding the sites for some of the largest rubies in the world but lately East African Countries have been much better off in the ruby business.

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